She’d be perfect for Esther.
That was the thought that had been solidifying in his mind since last night. The previous nanny had been adequate at best—she’d kept Esther fed and clothed, but there’d been no warmth there. No real affection. Just someone doing a job.
But Ava? Ava trulycared. He’d seen it in how she protected Esther yesterday, in the gentle way she coaxed the girl to eat, and in how she held her this morning when Esther clung to her. The way she positioned herself as a shield between his niece and the world.
And more than that, Esther hadspoken upto protect Ava. His niece, who rarely said more than two words a day to anyone, who flinched away from strangers and hid in corners during gatherings, had found her voice because she was worried about this woman.
That alone was worth seventy-five pounds a year. Hell, it was worth more than that.
“Uncle Noah?”
He looked down to see Esther standing next to him, holding a stone. It was smooth and grey, with a white line running through it.
“That’s a fine stone, lass,” he said, crouching down to examine it properly. “Where’d ye find it?”
“In... in the yard,” Esther whispered, her stutter less pronounced than yesterday. “It’s... It’s pretty.”
“Aye, it is.” He studied her small face, noticing more color in her cheeks than there had been in days. The hollow, haunted lookthat had been there since she went missing was finally fading. “Are ye happy to be goin’ home?”
Esther’s expression became complicated—part relief, part anxiety. “Will-will Ava really c-come?”
“Aye, lass. I gave her me word.” He reached out slowly, giving her time to pull away, and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “She’ll be at the castle with ye. I promise.”
Esther nodded, then caught him off guard by stepping closer and leaning against his knee. Not exactly a hug, but nearer than she had willingly gotten to him in months.
Something in Noah’s chest loosened slightly.
Maybe this would work after all. Maybe with Ava there to bridge the gap between them, he could finally figure out how to be what Esther needed. How to be more than just the uncle who provided food and shelter but didn’t know how to provide comfort.
“All right, I think I’ve got it all sorted,” Ava announced, startling them both. “First the tavern, then the orphanage, then I’ll need to pack me things, which willnae take long since I daenae have much, and then tomorrow at dawn we can... Ehy are ye both starin’ at me like that?”
“Nay reason,” Noah said, straightening. “When do ye want to leave for the tavern?”
“As soon as I’m ready. But ye daenae have to come with me. Ye could stay here with Esther, let her rest.”
“We’ll come.”
Ava’s eyes narrowed. “I can handle Malcolm meself, ye ken. I’ve been dealin’ with him for three years.”
“I’m sure ye can.” Noah crossed his arms. “But ye’re under me protection now. And I’d like to see this tavern master of yers; make sure he understands that.”
“Under yer protection?” Ava’s voice rose slightly. “I’m yer employee, nae some delicate flower that needs guardin’!”
“Nay one said ye were delicate.” Though watching her square up to him, all righteous fury and flashing eyes, Noah had to admit there was something... appealing about her fire. “But ye work for me now. That means anyone who gives ye trouble answers to me.”
“That’s ridiculous.”
“It’s nae ridiculous. It’s how things work.” He could see her gearing up to argue further, so he decided to change tactics. “Besides, Esther wants to come. Daenae ye, lass?”
Esther, bless her, nodded enthusiastically. “I... I want to stay with Ava.”
Ava’s expression softened immediately, her anger deflating like a punctured wineskin. “That’s nae fair, usin’ her against me.”
“All’s fair in negotiation, Miss Harris.” Noah allowed himself a small smile. “So are we goin’ to the tavern together, or are ye goin’ to keep arguin’?”
She glared at him for a long moment, then threw her hands up. “Fine! But ye’re to let me handle it meself. Only step in if I actually need ye.”
“Agreed.”
